Breaking New Ground

by Gifford Pinchot, George T. Frampton

Vigorous, colorful, bold and highly personal, Breaking New Ground is the autobiography of Gifford Pinchot, founder and first chief of the Forest Service. He tells a fascinating tale of his efforts, under President Theodore Roosevelt, to wrest the forests from economic special interests and to bring them under management for multiple- and long-range use. His philosophy of "the greatest good for the greatest number over the longest time" has become the foundation upon which this country's conservation policy is based.

Genres: History, Environment, Nonfiction, Biography

546 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1972

About the author

1865-1946.

Reviews

[Geoffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gifford Pinchot is the father of the American Conservation movement. This book, along with an understanding of the tremendous role of the naturalist President Theodore Roosevelt, explains the foundation of our natural resource conservation policy. This book sheds light onto Roosevelt and Pinchot's great friendship and the role that friendship played in all of Roosevelt's and Pinchot's conservation achievements. Pinchot's advocacy for a multiple-use conservation ethic provides the guiding light and map on how to create a global conservation policy founded on the principle of publicly owned and managed land which is open to multiple uses and that must remain open for the recreational enjoyment of all people.

This is absolutely essential reading for understanding natural resource management, policy, and the American conservation philosophy. It is the autobiography of one of the great early Progressive politicians. G. Pinchot, much like T.Roosevelt, was a man of his time with flaws and perhaps backward notions on social justice. However, his dedication to environmental conservation and his political achievements toward that cause is profound and invaluable in it's contemporary importance.

It's a long, very detailed book, but it is fantastic. Visit your closest National Forest and give a huge thanks to Gifford Pinchot!
Highly recommended!

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I made it to page 275 or halfway through after five weeks. A matter of fact account of how the Forest Service came to fruition. Interesting info on the French School of Forestry in Nancy but I couldn't find a mention of the fire of 1910 from the book "The Big Burn." Best when talking about the mystique of the West and anecdotes from his many travels. Written as a justification for everything he did in relation to the forests so it can get quite boring when relating all the political infighting in Congress and the Executive Branch. A bit of braggadocio on how he greased wheels, knew all along something would work or not work, and I told you so, etc... An interesting man, who although wealthy and a patrician, worked diligently and vigorously to leave something for posterity. Guy who really didn't need his salary much like some politicians of today.